Hallmarked

In the UK it is illegal to sell or describe any item as Gold, Silver, Platinum or Palladium unless it is hallmarked*.

A UK hallmark is struck by an independent assay office and guarantees the precious metal content of the item you are buying. Sellers in contravention of the law may be prosecuted and could face fines or imprisonment.

The Hallmark comprises three compulsory marks:

Sponsor's Mark

The registered mark of the company that submitted the article for hallmarking.

Fineness Mark

Tells you the precious metal content, expressed in parts per thousand.

Silver:

Sterling

Britannia

Palladium:

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2010

Gold:

9 carat

14 carat

18 carat

22 carat

Platinum:

Assay Office Mark

Tells you which Assay Office tested and hallmarked the article.

London

Birmingham

Sheffield

Edinburgh

Optional Marks

You may see optional marks, such as the traditional fineness symbol and the date letter depicting the year the item was hallmarked.

Traditional Fineness Symbols

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Scotland

Britannia Silver

Palladium

Gold

Platinum

Date Letter

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

International Convention Marks

Silver

Palladium

Gold

Platinum

This mark is used by countries, including the United Kingdom, that are signatories to the International Convention on Hallmarking and is recognised by all those countries.